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Before the event staff for the 76ers Summer Hoops Tour arrived at Fels Community Center, 2407 S. Broad St., Monday afternoon, the fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade campers were asked to sit in the gym.
But while some of his peers eagerly awaited the commencement of the free basketball clinic, 12-year-old David Crudele, of 10th Street and Snyder Avenue, sat holding his knees to his stomach.
"I’m not feeling well," he said quietly as fellow camper Alyssa Taylor added they had mozzarella sticks for lunch a couple hours earlier.
Ninety minutes later, after participating in a passing drill and sprint relays that were part of the Sixers Summer Hoops Tour, Crudele sat with his friends, laughing and eating potato chips, as they talked about spending the afternoon with former Sixer and current team ambassador, World B. Free, and event emcee Tom McGinnis, a personality on the team’s radio network.
Free and other staffers connected to the team gave the boys and girls helpful hints about dribbling, conditioning and — Free’s strong point — shooting. It’s part of the learning experience associated with the franchise’s 14th annual tour of the tri-state area through mid-August. Earlier this month, the Sixers made a stop at Murphy Rec Center, 300 Shunk St.
A group of more than 80 watched as Free stood outside the top of the key and released a seamless shot. Eyes were peeled as the ball sailed effortlessly through the air, over the rim and into the basket.
Free sunk 17,955 points during his 13-year NBA career, suiting up for the Sixers from 1975 to ’78 and returning in ’87. He remains active by demonstrating his skills for young, aspiring players across the region.
North Philadelphia resident Alissa Smith, 11, said the tour’s stop gave her a chance to hone her skills, even if the instruction was different.
"My dad has been teaching me," Smith said, adding her father was a little jealous of her temporary coaches. "But he said, ‘That’s good, at least you’ll actually be learning from the pros.’"
Fels was the 21st stop out of 34 for the season, with Free and McGinnis there since the program’s inception.
"It’s a summer routine for me," McGinnis said as the campers lined up to receive free water, and snacks along with a Sixers Media Guide. "It’s obviously a community effort, and over the years, we’ve been able to reach a lot of kids."
As the staff of 76ers front office workers and interns warmed up to "Walk it Out" by Unk, the campers danced in the background.
Included in that bunch was 12-year-old James Benjamin, who said he uses trash cans to practice shooting at the park on 15th and Moore streets.
Although Benjamin, of 18th and Moore streets, said he enjoyed practicing his skills with the 76ers, he only "roots for them sometimes" and did his jumping jacks — part of the conditioning segment — while sporting the jersey of NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony who plays for the Denver Nuggets.
Some campers were savvy to the game before Free’s arrival.
"We already knew all the stuff," 12-year-old Saadia Wilson, of 17th and Dickinson streets, said, though she noted she had plenty to practice from the skills book presented to the participants.
The instructors also told the pupils when shooting, aim to get the ball just over the rim. When passing, they stressed using their feet for positioning,
But Free and McGinnis pointed out there is life beyond basketball.
"We’ve been losing a lot of kids lately," Free said, striking a serious tone after 90 minutes of fun. "Kids get kidnapped, kids get molested and kids get killed, but never think you’re too good to listen to someone who knows."
Other campers who don’t necessarily like basketball still appreciated the message.
Maranda Leecen, 12, said her favorite part was getting the water at the end, but added, "I thought it was nice that [Free] said not to be a follower."
